At a recent event, Elizabeth Ferris discussed the different issues facing developed countries when dealing with destruction after natural disasters, using as examples Japan after the recent tsunami and the United States after Hurricane Katrina.
She argued that developed countries struggle with accepting assistance, not only because many don’t have systems in place to coordinate and vet incoming offers, but also because they are used to being in the role of a donor nation, rather than a recipient, and must work to overcome this mentality.
Commentary
Struggles Facing Developed Countries in Dealing with Disasters
June 7, 2011